The World Rally Championship has a new commercial owner. French automotive technology group Cosmobilis and private credit investor Park Square Capital have acquired WRC Promoter GmbH, taking control of the commercial rights to both the World and European Rally Championships in what the FIA called a landmark long-term agreement.
Former McLaren Formula 1 team principal Eric Boullier has been appointed CEO of WRC Promoter. The news broke on Friday, while the service park was in the middle of the first full day of Secto Rally Finland.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who had publicly promised a resolution within weeks, did not undersell it.
"This is truly the deal of the century for rallying, and I am proud to announce this transformative step forward, and never before seen levels of investment," Ben Sulayem said. "Not only will it deliver real benefits to fans, competitors and our member clubs worldwide, but this investment signifies confidence in the future of our sport as its global popularity continues to grow."
He added: "Rallying is a huge part of my personal story, it has shaped who I am and how I work, and I am deeply committed to its future."
"I have spent my entire professional life in the FIA World Rally Championship, so I know exactly what this sport means to its competitors, its organisers, and above all its fans," Wilson said. "In over 40 years in the sport, I have never seen investment on this scale into rallying - this deal really is that significant."
Wilson framed the search as being about fit as much as money. "From the beginning, our focus has been on finding a partner that not only recognises the WRC's enormous potential, but understands its character, heritage and the responsibility that comes with shaping its future."
Cosmobilis chairman and CEO Jean-Louis Mosca described the purchase as strategic rather than sporting, positioning the WRC inside a wider automotive data and services platform.
"We are not merely acquiring the commercial rights to a world championship: we are building an international platform where manufacturers, partners, media, technology, and fans come together," Mosca said. "Our goal is clear: to make the WRC the global benchmark for motorsport while creating a driver of sustainable growth for the entire Cosmobilis ecosystem."
Martino Ghezzi, a partner at Park Square Capital, said the investor was supplying "both capital and strategic support to realise their significant potential," and pointed to Boullier's grand prix background as the reason for the appointment.
Boullier struck a more measured note than the FIA leadership. "I take on this challenge with enthusiasm and determination, but also with humility and a strong sense of responsibility - to make these exceptional championships even more compelling," he said. "Alongside the FIA and our partners, we want to make every round a spectacular event, designed to thrill fans around the world."
In the service park, the response was welcoming but noticeably more restrained than the press releases. Nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, who led Rally Finland at the time the deal was confirmed before crashing out on Saturday, told DirtFish the sale could only be read one way.
"It's obviously good news," Ogier said. "I think the sport needs that. It needs some strong commitment and some people who have some ambition to try to bring our sport in a better place. So I can only see that as good news."
His Toyota team-mate and championship leader Elfyn Evans emphasised how long the paddock has been waiting rather than what has been promised.
"I think it's been very long-awaited news and I think everybody had a sense of anticipation for what was to come, and I think there was a lot of anticipation to get to work," Evans said. "Now that it's all done, I'm looking forward to seeing some steps forward now."
Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux was more conditional again, welcoming the owners without endorsing the plan.
"I just would like to welcome the new promoter and say I have some hope for the future of this sport," Fourmaux said. "They can do some very good things and let's see what they can bring."
The timing matters. The WRC27 regulations arrive next year, and the FIA is establishing a growth fund alongside the sale. The new promoter inherits a championship with a settled manufacturer core but persistent questions over calendar reach, broadcast distribution and entry numbers - the same questions the previous ownership was unable to answer.
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